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Pinus edulis Forest Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus edulis Forest Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This forest alliance occurs in the foothills and lower montane zone in the southern Rocky Mountains; mountains, mesas, piedmonts and canyons in the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts and the Colorado Plateau; and breaks and escarpments in the southwestern Great Plains. Stands typically occur on nearly level to steep, rocky slopes on hillsides and ridgetops. Aspects tend to be northerly, where the less xeric conditions allow for denser tree growth. Higher elevations stands may occur on southern aspects. Sites are dry, typically with shallow, rocky, calcareous and alkaline soils. Soil textures are variable. Forests included in this alliance are characterized by a moderately dense to dense tree canopy typically 3-12 m tall. Mature individuals range from 2-3 m tall 'scrub' to large trees up to 21 m tall. Pinus edulis dominates the upper canopy, but individuals of several species of Juniperus or Quercus may be present depending on geography. The understory is typically absent or very sparse because of shading by the dense tree canopy, but scattered shrubs, grasses and forbs may be present. If present, shrub and dwarf-shrub associates tend to be more shade- and cold-tolerant species and may include Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus spp., Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra viridis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., Purshia spp., Rhus trilobata, and Quercus gambelii. Shrubs restricted to warmer southern latitudes include Agave spp., Arctostaphylos pungens, Garrya spp., Nolina microcarpa, Quercus turbinella, and Yucca baccata. The herbaceous layer is absent to sparse and primarily composed of scattered perennial grasses. Annual grasses and forbs are seasonally present. Diagnostic of this forest alliance is the Pinus edulis-dominated, closed-canopy tree layer.  Accession Code: VB.CC.20105.PINUSEDULISFORE Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Pinus edulis Forest Alliance   Translated: Two-needle Pinyon Forest Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125473 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.135